Advancements in scientific research verify that the renewing of the mind is not an etherial concept. It can be a reality for us all. What Scripture has declared to generations of believers has become a proven reality.
The new multimillion dollar 7-Tesla Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) Scanner clearly reveals which parts of the brain are activated not just by movements but also by what a person thinks. Colors on the screen change as different parts of the brain engage in thought, movement, and memory. Negative thoughts dramatic restrict blood flow to the areas of the brain responsible for emotional processing, including anxiety and depression. Positive thoughts cause increased changes in blood flow to areas of the brain which produce rational thoughts and increase neurotransmitters like dopomine and serotonin. By changing the way a person chooses to think, they literally change the way their brain functions. Incredible! Right?
Of course, God knows how He created us. Just as He designed our bodies to heal from external wounds, He also designed a process for the renewing and healing of our minds. He created an amazing connection between body, mind, and soul to work in harmony, restoring those parts under the greatest duress.
“Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God — this is your true and proper worship. Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.”
Romans 12:1-2
“Be transformed by the renewing of your mind” becomes a reasonable request only if such renewing were possible.
We Choose
This knowledge places the responsibility on us to care about the thoughts we allow to circulate through our minds. It is estimated that 80% of our daily thoughts are false and that 90% of today’s thoughts are the same as we thought yesterday. A renewing of the mind will obviously require intention on our part to guard what thoughts we allow to linger. If we choose to passively go through life, days turn into years and years into a life-time of negative and brain-destroying patterns.
Here is the bold truth — our thoughts will either harm or help our brains and bodies. Positive thoughts regenerate the brain increasing the grey matter. Negative thoughts degenerate our brains. Thus, the way to change our brains and bodies (and thus our lives) is by changing our minds thought patterns.
As Christians, we believe in the truth that God still heals, that people are capable of change, and almost anything can be overcome! The core of this transformation resides within our thoughts and minds.
“Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.‘
Philippians 4:8
We all experience trauma through various types of devastating circumstances. Nevertheless, God gives us the ability to respond to even the most difficult losses in a way that renews our minds. The enemy comes to steal, kill, and destroy, but God has come to give us life (John 10:10). That life often occurs within the renewing of the mind.
What if we filtered every thought through the Philippians 4:8 model? How might our minds, and as a result our brains and bodies, be renewed? We may not be able to change our circumstances, but we can change our minds and reaction to those circumstances.
A God Promise
God seals truth with His promise.
“You will keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on You, because he trusts in You.”
Isaiah 26:3
The Message Bibles translates this verse to read, “People with their minds set on you, you keep completely whole.” A healthy mind and brain certainly would be included in “completely whole.”
During the night-watches when anxiety wants to control our thoughts, we may claim this verse. As we do, we purposefully shift our gaze upon God in worship, praise, and thanksgiving. With the shift comes restored peace.
We find many other portions of Scripture regarding our minds.
- Colossians 3:2 “Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things.”
- Romans 8:6 “The mind governed by the flesh is death, but the mind governed by the Spirit is life and peace.”
- Ephesians 4:22-23 “You were taught … to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; to be made new in the attitude of your minds …”
- 1 Peter 1:13 “Therefore, with minds that are alert and fully sober, set your hope on the grace to be brought to you when Jesus Christ is revealed at his coming.”
- 1 Corinthians 2:16 “But we have the mind of Christ.”
God will fulfill all His promises, but we cannot neglect our responsibility for the renewing of the mind.
A Reward
“I the Lord search the heart and examine the mind, to reward each person according to their conduct, according to what their deeds deserve.”
Jeremiah 17:10
The 7-Tesla MRI proves the extent of our capability for renewing the mind. However, God doesn’t need a 7-Tesla to know what we are thinking. He knows better than us the damage we do to our bodies and emotions by runaway thoughts. He also sees when we put into action the truth of His Word for the renewing of the mind. God promises to “reward each person according to their conduct.”
Surely, His first reward includes the renewing of the mind. How many more rewards await as our brains, emotions, and bodies begin to function according to His regenerative pattern? How much more satisfying will our lives become with the renewing of our minds.
Father, thank You for the intricate and beautiful way You have created us. May we honor You by honoring the complex integration of our minds, bodies, and souls. Lord, we commit ourselves today to the process of renewing our minds. We cast down every false belief and restricting pattern of the past as we choose to believe that You have something so much better for us.
How awesome are Yours ways, O God! How unsearchable!
“For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind” (2 Timothy 1:7). Thanks be to God for Your gift of soundness of mind.
Amen.
**********
Does this topic interest you? Check out this book by W. Lee Warren, The Life-Changing Art of Self-Brain Surgery.
